Recent content by Madcow

Yes, but also factor in repairs to the 3/4 ton over the years and tire replacements also by using it as a daily driver.  We have had the 2006 Caddy since 2016 and it has been extremely cost effective.  All I have had to do is simple fluid changes and a couple of minor repairs.  And again, the...

Unless you find a killer alternative vehicle.  We found a 10 year old 2006 Cadillac CTS with about 52,000 miles on it in fabulous shape.  Bought it for $8500 in 2016 and because of the age the registration tags are only $50 a year in my state and the insurance barely bumps $300 in a year. 25...

The 7.3 gasser in the medium pickup trucks from Ford is going to be a good fit for a lot of folks.  I am waiting to see how most folks do with the new 6.6L gasser coming out in the 2020 GM 3/4 and 1 tons.  Substantially more power than the 6.0 and will give the 7.3 a challenge.  With the...

I never use a pickup truck as a daily driver.  Only when I need it to get something specific done for which I bought it for.  A 1/2 ton might not be bad as a DD, but I can't imagine using my 3/4 ton as a DD.  I rarely put 5000 miles a year on it.  My "daily driver" is a class 8 semi truck. ...

Gary is pretty much on target.  There are only 3 major battery manufacturers in the U.S.  Deka/East Penn, Exide, and Johnson Controls.  Virtually every battery you can buy will be made by one of these.  Commercially, I have hauled from all 3 of these manufacturers and the labels on the batteries...

Don't overlook the RV compressor fridge units from Norcold, Nova Kool, etc.  They can be had in DC only or AC/DC units. On DC (even AC/DC units, the primary source is DC and is the preferred way to use it) a 7 CF fridge freezer uses about 4 amp when actually running, which might be 1/2 the time...

While a little pricy, Rotopax makes gas cans that you can beat up pretty bad before they fail.  I keep 4 of their 2 gallon cans in my semi truck rail side box all the time to fuel a portable generator I use when stopped to cut down on engine idling.  I keep them filled.  They have been bouncing...

If one is pulling the fridge anyway, and they are going to keep the trailer for a while, then depending on the size of the unit, Dometic makes true compressor fridge models with the same exterior dimensions so that they are a direct fit replacement.  They use less 12v power than any absorption...

If one is going to use a diesel additive, then also look at the cost effectiveness.  How much is it costing per gallon of diesel to use.  I use a additive I get from Schaeffer Oil.  A winter version and a summer version.  When all is said and done, at the recommenced application rate if comes...

Not up to date.  There are dozens of different inverter/chargers available for mobile use.  Xantrex makes the most desired ones. I use one in my commercial semi truck for my personal AC needs in the sleeper compartment and to charge batts when hooked up to shore power.  A true sine wave...

In most cases, black tanks are not even needed.  There are several viable options that eliminate the black tank need.  As for gray, there are literally hundreds of various dimension tanks for RV/TT use that can be purchased quite easily and at a reasonable price.  And one doesn't need a high...

RIR, that is the way I am planning to do similar with my Chevy 2500 double cab.  Haven't narrowed down an finalized a TC purchase, but already have been doing some brainstorming and doing similar to what you did.  Thanks for the post!

And when you finally throw up your hands in disgust with that 3 way fridge, just yank it out and replace it with a Dometic AC/DC compressor fridge.  Something that should be standard in all campers instead of some goofy old school propane stuff.  I have one of these Dometic RV compressor fridges...

I am looking to put something in the bed of my 2015 2500 Chevy and have zeroed in on only the pop-up campers like Northern Star, Phoenix, etc.  Not quite as much in terms of storage, but they can be loaded pretty good with options also including decent wet baths.  Phoenix does totally custom...

Oh my!  I fell out of my chair on that one!